Friday, November 01, 2013

Autumn Round Here ---

Close to the end of the year when my travel slows down I make a day of getting nearly EVERYTHING done at once.

Physical, pap, blood work, flu shot and mammogram.

I can now mark all of these goodies off of my list for another year. It’s a great way to know I’m going into “sick season” with a healthy start.

Being as I sit in air pressure controlled metal tubes with wings – trapped with hundreds of other passengers of dubious health, I feel safest getting a flu shot. I know some don’t – but I can’t keep myself in a sterile environment for the entirety of the winter, so I consider it as insurance. It might not work, but at least I took steps to TRY.

As I was driving home through the rain, I was just mesmerized by the brilliant color of the trees in my own neighborhood.

I thought I’d share them with you today.

Glorious golds and russets as we continue up the road.

In front of my drive where I turn in --

My house at the end of the driveway below, almost hidden by the trees and leaves.

Looking back up the drive – someone is going to have a LOT of leaf blowing to do as soon as the rain stops and the ground dries a bit!

I’m spending some time with batting scraps, getting ready to transport my great-grandmother’s china to the cabin where we plan to spend many family dinners – starting with this Thanksgiving. I love this pattern. It’s made in England and has been present at almost every family dinner I remember growing up, and every family dinner we've had since my babies were born.

This year my dad is coming from Arizona to spend Thanksgiving with us, and as this china came from his side of the family, it is only fitting that we celebrate Thanksgiving with these pieces that hold so many memories --

For those who are prayerful, for those who can spare positive thoughts of comfort and acceptance, please keep my brother Mark and his family in your thoughts, prayers and close to your heart. He called me last evening to tell me that they discovered a brain tumor. He is in surgery today to have it removed. It’s almost too scary to think about, and difficult to talk about ---and to calm my soul, I gently wrap family china between scraps of batting and hope there will still yet be many family dinners to come.

108 comments:

Thoughts and prayers are with all of you ... moved you right to the tippy top of my prayer list, Bonnie! Your dishes are beautiful as are the memories they bring with them. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday of the year ... least commercial and a wonderful day that is spent with family/friends in a loving environment. We are so blessed each and every day. God bless you and yours. Linda

Oh, Bonnie, I am SO sorry to hear about your brother! Is he by chance the one here where I live? I will keep him and the family in my prayers! I can see how the wrapping of that special china, holding so many family memories, would be soothing at this time. So hard to be far from loved ones when tough things are going on.

Hey Bonnie. I heard you mention something about your brother last night on quilt cam. I know it's a difficult painful time, but try not to loose hope. My mother had a brain tumor removed in 1997 and is still alive and kicking. I promise prayers. Hang in there.

You, Mark and all family members are in our prayers. I believe in the power of prayer, as this past summer a friends 18 month old daughter had a tumor on her brain stem. Yes, they removed it, she took 6 radiation treatments and there is no sign of the tumor. God is good! I will lift you all up at church on Sunday.I don't have anything from my great grandparents, so I can only imagine how precious this china is to you. I do have the china from a lady I delivered newspaper to as a teen. At least once a week I use it. I also like it because the size of the plates are the correct size, not the huge ones of today. Take care and please keep us updated if you feel you can. I think we are all a little sad today. Hugs <3

Prayers sent up for you, Mark, his family and the team working his surgery and recovery. I'm glad you find ways to soothe your frazzled nerves. I'm glad you have the cabin to escape to and "nest" in. Your family china is lovely and knowing you will continue to make memories around the table make me happy for you. Safe travels to Buck Mountain!! Hugs to you, Allison

I don't comment often, but know Mark and his family including you have been added to my prayers. I read and watch you and know what a positive person you are and wish for you hold those good thoughts for Mark as he travels this path and I will do the same.

Oh Bonnie, wish I could give you a hug right now. Last night when you mentioned it, I knew it was serious. Thoughts and prayers for Mark, your families and the medical team he has working for him. Packing that china is something I would do too, so connected to others, family first!

Oh Bonnie, serious news, will keep him, the doctors and his family in my prayers for the weeks to come.

In light of that news it seems inappropriate to get super excited by your grandmothers china but I am a plate turner and these plates are beautiful. When you unpack them at the cabin perhaps you would turn one over and take a picture of the markings?

In the mean time will look for updates on your brother. Hugs from Texas

I will keep Mark and the family in my prayers! My niece had a brain tumor removed several years ago and is still alive & kicking. She is expecting her first baby very soon. Your dishes are quite beautiful as are the memories they bring to mind. Thank you for the autumn color photos. We have had great color out here in Colorado, but nothing like the show that hard woods give. ((Hugs))

Bonnie my thoughts are with you and your family at this time, I hope everything goes well for you all. You're right about the only really important thing in life being those we love! Enjoy your family time. Julie

LOVE the pictures to ad from your home...ah to be nestled i trees as I was when I was a child...I remember the rich colors ad earthtones are my favorite to this day! where in Arizona is you dad? maybe you can see him when you come out in February!?!?!?

Bonnie, I will keep your brother in my prayers. Praying God to guide the surgeons hands to safely remove this tumor. Keep us posted on his progress, I have 2 friends that had brain tumor very successfully remove and fully recovered. Will pray that your brother recovers quickly.

Hugs for you! Praying for your dear brother and your family that God will give Mark healing and each of you comfort during this time. I too spend time with memories when I set my Thanksgiving table with my grandma's dishes.

keeping Mark and your whole extended family in my prayers this evening. Our leaves are turning color here this week as well, and should be in full color by next weekend, if they stay on the trees for that long. love that beautiful china!

Prayers and positive thoughts for Mark, his family and for you and yours. The dishes are gorgeous and such a treasure. I can't imagine how you managed to get through quilt cam last night. You are so generous with your time. It was a pleasure to meet you in Hershey this year.

May your brother be comforted through this scary and difficult time by all our positive energy and healing prayers . Bonnie , I hope also that , having some of those dear to you under one roof this Thanksgiving helps ease & comfort you as well . God bless & take care

Bonnie, I will most certainly keep your family in my prayers. I know just how you must be feeling. A year and a half ago my sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was Mother's Day weekend, the first since we had lost out mom to cancer the previous summer. Prayers helped us all get through. Thankfully, our prayers were answered, the surgery was a success, the tumor benign. She underwent radiation treatment and is doing well today. I am praying for a similar outcome for your brother. Hugs!

WHOA, that really hits home with me since that's what took my DH from me. Discovered the brain tumor and surgery in July 2011 and he was gone in just over a year. Praying much better results for your brother. Please let me know if you can whether or not it's a glioblastoma as I have some really good sites with info and such.

Thoughts and prayers are with you during this painful time. I'm glad you have your great grandmother's china. Such things link our present with past generations and hold special memories. We use my grandmother's china for our family dinners and I always share memories of family dinners with grandmother when I was a child. We are all praying for you, your brother and your family.

My prayers go with those of a long list of friends you've never met. I can't speak for all of us,but I think most of us think of you as a sister. I hope you feel some peace and hope while you wait for good news.

First and foremost, your brother is in my thoughts and prayers. I pray in earnest that the surgery went well and he'll soon be on his feet again and I pray that all your tests come out squeaky clean. Secondly, I love your great grandma's china. What a lovely thing to focus on when your mind and heart are so troubled. I hope you gain some comfort in the magnificent view surrounding your beautiful home. I bet you can't wait for your dad to visit. Hugs, Lois

My brother-in-law had a malignant brain tumor diagnosed a year and a half ago and was given 6 months to 1 year to live. He had chemo to shrink it, then they removed as much as they could of the tumor. He's had radiation and chemo since and last week they told him THEY CAN'T FIND THE TUMOR! It is GONE! So, if this good thing happened for him, it can happen for your brother too. And that is what I will pray for him, Bonnie. I will pray for complete healing and peace throughout the process.

My brother-in-law had a malignant brain tumor diagnosed a year and a half ago and was given 6 months to 1 year to live. He had chemo to shrink it, then they removed as much as they could of the tumor. He's had radiation and chemo since and last week they told him THEY CAN'T FIND THE TUMOR! It is GONE! So, if this good thing happened for him, it can happen for your brother too. And that is what I will pray for him, Bonnie. I will pray for complete healing and peace throughout the process.

Lots of prayers to you and your family during this time. May God be with those who administer to your brother. I understand what it is to hold something like your Grandmother's dishes in your hands and wrap them in simple scraps of batting to protect them. May God hold all of you in His hands and protect, comfort you, and give you peace. Take care,Emily

Prayers for your brother's safe recovery. Through all the students you have touched, you have so many prayers and good intentions coming your way to buoy up and support your family through this difficult time. On to a brighter subject - I absolutely adore that china! I have never seen that pattern and it's beautiful. Best wishes!

Thinking of you and your family.I have been there and it is a helpless feeling, but having family things near by and knowing friends far and near are thinking of you and sending prayers for your brother I hope will comfort you. Hugs

What a shocking phone call that must have been for you, I will be thinking of you and praying for your brother. Be kind to yourself and remember to breathe, the scary stuff is not so bad when we take time to think about it quietly.

Will definitely being saying prayers for Mark and your whole family. My neighbor is 5 years out, endured a couple of surgeries and treatments, but is showing all clear now. Hoping for an even better outcome for Mark.

Oh Bonnie - Definitely praying for Mark and his surgeons and doctors - and for you! Love you dear friend. James 5:16 "....the earnest heartfelt prayers of a righteous man make TREMENDOUS power available and can achieve much. " (Amplified Bible)

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother Mark, Bonnie. I'm sending many prayers for his complete recovery and healing. The china is absolutely gorgeous; what a treasure. I love the autumn photos. We here in Minnesota have had some gorgeous colors also, although the rain and winds have taken a lot of the leaves down. God bless you and your family as you await the news on Mark.

Know that my prayers are with you and your family also. Our extended family has beentouched with cancer sooo many too many times. And I must tell you that the last tumor scare we had was with my BIL. When they went to the dr.'s for the consult he told themhe would highly recommend his younger associate to do the removal. They do it will a lazer... (older) dr. said, "The younger ones have more hand eye dexterity with the remote they use for the lazer.... because of all the video games they play/played as kids/adults. So... being as he is also in Arz. hopefully all went well with the surgery and it will go well. Your working in the right direction... people who go thru chemo etc... tend to get very cold easily... a quilt will work great! Besides it giving you something to think about he will think about you when he uses it.Love and hugs from a sister who has had 7 family members go thru it all. Any many of those are doing great. hanging in doing great!

Prayers for strength, mercy, guiding physicians' hands and their knowledge, and peace for you, Mark and the whole family. God will never give you more to handle than you can deal with when you lean on Him for everything you need. Many times our circumstances take us to our knees, in prayer...where we need to be - we aren't meant to handle all this alone! Praying for you all.

Prayers still going up for your brother Mark. I am so happy you will be pouring love into every stitch as you make a quilt for him. I have done that for several sick family members and each time the recipient really loved, needed and used the quilt. I felt I was doing something which helped me too...so stitch away and we will pray he will have years and years to wear that quilt out! HUGS!

Oh Bonnie I am also just catching up on your posts as I got behind due to things going on in my life, and I want to say that I am so sorry to read the news about your bother, praying that the surgery will go well and he will come through this with flying colors. I know how hard it is seeing a sibling going through cancer and treatments and I am sending all my prayers to you and your family. I saw the posts about the quilt you are making and it is beautiful and he will love it. Gwen